Sony RDR-VXD655 VHS DVD Recorder Combo with Built In HD Tuner

This product does not work with a simple TV set. It requires seperate component audio/video hookups. This was never made clear in either the advertising material or manual. I want to attach a simple coax cable but I needed to connect a 3 wire audio video cable as well. My TV doesn't have these connections so it is useless.

I bought this product because it has a digital tuner. After setup, I found that it did not display properly the digital signal from major networks like CBS and NBC. On my analog 4:3 TV, the image appeared as a small box, surrounded by 4 black bars. There is no way to change this.

Also, be warned that it takes almost 40 minutes to scan the analog and digital channels; probably, it missed some. Also, it cannot record closed captioning from a digital channel (this info is buried in the manual).

I have no idea how this product works as a VCR or DVD player-recorder. After encountering the above problems during setup, I put it back in the box, to be returned.

A sad comment on Sony. I'm surprised this product got so many positive reviews.

I have both recorders and I saw the difference. The Sony: You cannot record movies from movie channels like HBO ect. In the Panasonic yes you can. The record quality is better in the Panasonic. As a costumer that has both I recommend the Panasonic - DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW/RAM Recorder/VCR Combo with Digital tuner than Sony.. My favorite brand is Sony but I was disappointed with this.

Bad quality in recording in 3H (LP), 4H (EP), 6H (SLP), 8H (SEP)recording modes and cannot record movies from movie channels (Copy protected movie). Well now you know. The right choice right now is Panasonic.

I have a sharp 32" lcd tv. When connecting this via the hdmi output, it will stretch anything that is in the old 4x3 square format. VHS and DVD's. It should have black bars on the sides. It does not stretch the using the other outputs, but you get no upconversion that way. The 2nd problem is that the tuner does not record hd signals broadcast in the old 4x3 format properly. It will put black all the way around. ( known as "windowboxed" or "postage stamped") My tv, cheap coverter box or other LG combo unit does not do this. I tried "every possible" adjustment on both the combo and tv and nothing worked for either problem. I'm almost sure it is the problem with the combo unit programing. The vhs to dvd is ok, but tape deck is not the greatest. None are these days. If you have a tape that has been edited, it stops and starts new titles when it should not. A proper machine should stop and start only when you tell it to. The only thing good about this machine is the varrious recording speeds 1hr.30min and 3hr. are the most usefull, and only sony has them for some odd reason. It does not have video adjustments "before" recording like the rdr-gx300 did either. A great feature. Simply speaking, Sony has gone to the dogs.

I do not own this product but am interested in buying it. I have owned 3 LG DVD burners and a Panasonic that lasted an average of 3 - 6 months before they gave up the ghost and either stopped recognizing commercially recorded DVDs or wouldnt burn non protected off the air programming (like to watch some TV programs on the road and DVR isnt portable). My question is - has this one lasted for anyone over a year?